Having just completed my third book in the Foundation saga, Second Foundation, I couldn’t help but feel elated and saddened at the same time. I was thrilled that the Second Foundation had survived The Mule and the search by the First Foundation. Their survival and secrecy would guide the Seldon Plan into fruition without the knowledge of the First Foundation therefore allowing the course of psychohistory to be fulfilled. My sadness arises from analogous conditions that are unfolding between this great work of fiction and the socio-economic dilemma we face right now. Are we experiencing the demise of our Earthly Empire or are we in a self-styled Seldon crisis brought upon us by environmental disregard, financial greed and complacent application and disregard of new advances in science and technology? How do we know when we enter into a crisis, when we solve it and how to prevent one from happening?
Admittedly we have individuals, institutions and think-tanks that focus on statistical analysis and predictions in areas such as policy, war, terror, monetary issues, food, environment, design and health matters etc. How can the products of these institutions be used or merged into one influential and powerful council that world leaders are answerable to for the survival of Earth and her citizens?
Why do we turn to art or science-fiction only when it is almost or even too late? It is apparent that the time has come to implement and study the idea of value fictions (see works by Dunne & Raby) in scenarios that postulate outcomes for several generations from now. But even when we do make smart choices, how do we know they are the right choices in their future outcomes?
